A press release from West Pierce Fire & Rescue.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) was placed at Fort Steilacoom Park as a tool to save lives in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest incident. Local community partners joined together to place the AED and West Pierce Fire & Rescue provided training for the City of Lakewood’s staff on how to use it.
West Pierce Fire & Rescue’s non-profit organization, West Pierce CARES, implemented an AED program in response to the need of AEDs throughout the community.
The funding for this AED was provided by a generous donation from the Selden Family, after they were awarded the Larry Saunders Service Award in 2020, courtesy of the Lakewood Community Foundation Fund. The Rotary Club of Lakewood donated additional funding, allowing West Pierce CARES to purchase and place more AEDs that will eventually be placed in public spaces through the community.
As a way to save lives, West Pierce Fire & Rescue strongly encourages the community to utilize PulsePoint Respond, a mobile app that can request help when CPR is needed nearby. This free app empowers members of the public to provide life-saving assistance to victims of sudden cardiac arrest until medical aid arrives.
The app alerts CPR-trained subscribers to a potential need for CPR in the vicinity (in a public area) and the location of the nearest available AED, if one exists. PulsePoint Respond is available for free for both iOS and Android mobile devices in the App Store and Google Play.
Early intervention saves lives when seconds matter most. Members of the public wishing to learn CPR are encouraged to contact West Pierce Fire & Rescue at 253.564.1623 or visit the American Heart Association for information on local classes.
